Rutgers University is hoping to land President Barack Obama as its 2016 graduation speaker

[Tango Two]

The nine-paragraph overture told the story of a small college founded in 1766 that grew into its state's flagship university, and Barchi invited Obama to speak at Rutgers' 2016 graduation ceremony.


http://www.nj.com/education/2016/03/can_rutgers_land_obama_as_2016_graduation_speaker.html

 

[Upstream]

The nine-paragraph overture told the story of a small college founded in 1766 that grew into its state's flagship university, and Barchi invited Obama to speak at Rutgers' 2016 graduation ceremony.


http://www.nj.com/education/2016/03/can_rutgers_land_obama_as_2016_graduation_speaker.html

I think it is appropriate for the sitting President to speak at commencement for the 250th anniversary of the founding of Rutgers. Nonetheless, I would expect several posters on the CE board to flip out if this become reality.

 

[retired711]

I think we should always welcome the President of the United States -- even if Donald Trump becomes President, which I fervently hope he does not.

 

[Jim_from_RU]

I think it is appropriate for the sitting President to speak at commencement for the 250th anniversary of the founding of Rutgers. Nonetheless, I would expect several posters on the CE board to flip out if this become reality.

I would be absolutely thrilled if President Obama did the Rutgers Commencement speech.

 

[NotInRHouse]

The hate it will inspire among the right wing lunatics on the board is reason alone enough for it.

Surely they will agree that any protests should be brutally quashed, just as they wanted for Condi?

 

[RU-ROCS]

That would be quite a coup for RU!

 

[MidwestKnights]

I think it is appropriate for the sitting President to speak at commencement for the 250th anniversary of the founding of Rutgers. Nonetheless, I would expect several posters on the CE board to flip out if this become reality.

This is what pissed me off about the Condeleeza Rice flap. I had heard a few years ago before they invited her, that the university might reach out to President Obama for the anniversary commencement. I thought ahhh...the university is being smart for once. Bring in Condy and it makes an Obama speech more palatable to the inevitable opposition (or at least defangs them).

And as soon as the liberal-left crew at Rutgers (which is where I Iand essentially) starting pushing to have her speech cancelled, I knew it might come back to bite us in the butt. I still think it might.

Regardless of your politics, Condeleeza Rice is a highly accomplished individual with an impressive background who came from a modest background. She fits the Rutgers profile to a T.

As does President Obama, I hope if he accepts there isn't aggressive pushback from the wingers on and off campus.

 

[MidwestKnights]

I think we should always welcome the President of the United States -- even if Donald Trump becomes President, which I fervently hope he does not.

Sadly, I agree with this.

Unless of course, Trump instigates a 21st century version of Kristellnacht.

 

[Jim_from_RU]

Sadly, I agree with this.

Unless of course, Trump instigates a 21st century version of Kristellnacht.

Ill be living happy in Toronto if that happens.

 

[e5fdny]

Regardless of what side of the aisle you sit on and whomever (or it is whoever? never sure on this one) is in the office it is still a VERY big deal if/when a sitting President drops by to say hello.

 

[NotInRHouse]

This is what pissed me off about the Condeleeza Rice flap. I had heard a few years ago before they invited her, that the university might reach out to President Obama for the anniversary commencement. I thought ahhh...the university is being smart for once. Bring in Condy and it makes an Obama speech more palatable to the inevitable opposition (or at least defangs them).

And as soon as the liberal-left crew at Rutgers (which is where I Iand essentially) starting pushing to have her speech cancelled, I knew it might come back to bite us in the butt. I still think it might.

Regardless of your politics, Condeleeza Rice is a highly accomplished individual with an impressive background who came from a modest background. She fits the Rutgers profile to a T.

As does President Obama, I hope if he accepts there isn't aggressive pushback from the wingers on and off campus.

There was a minority who wanted a cancellation. There was a negative but understandable reaction. It was not the fault of the school. And it was Condi who backed out, not RU- which the right wing on the board continuously lies about (among everything else). She was protested at BC and still spoke.

The key thing which can be lost on this board is that RU is overwhelmingly liberal as are most alumni and the state of NJ. It is just that a handful of right wingers think that if they shout the loudest, they are the majority- as we see repeatedly in the national discourse.

I always found the handful of Republicans I met at RU to be respectful individuals. The James O'Keefe's and CE board types number so few in reality that any of their screeching will be deemed instantly irrelevant.

President Obama has a 49% approval. Christie has a 27% approval. And I'm sure in NJ President Obama has a majority approval. With the fascist Drumpf attempting to seize the Republican Party, President Obama will be gladly welcomed by the overwhelming majority, and will be fondly remembered as one of our greatest Presidents.

 

[derleider]

Of course we should welcome Obama - just like we would have welcomed Bush or Reagan or CLinton or whoever. Its a high honor to have the president speak - regardless of political affiliation. A memory that will last a lifetime for those lucky enough to be there.